Chapter 81: The Sword Manual
Chapter 81: The Sword Manual
As Chen Chuan rode back, he had a nagging feeling that the capture operation seemed like a farce, possibly hiding something more sinister. However, he knew this wasn't something he could resolve at the moment, so he didn't dwell on it.
Upon returning to school, he continued his training. Although the task had been interrupted, he believed that no matter how the situation developed, he needed to be ready with the ability to handle it when the time came.
Currently, his understanding of Vitality Techniques was deepening, but he had also reached a plateau. So, he allocated some time to enhance his sword technique training.
After the mid-November rest day, Cheng Zitong examined him and concluded that the transmutation organs in his body were not showing any signs of accelerated growth for the time being.
Cheng Zitong decided to observe for another ten days or so, until the end of the month or mid-December, by which time they should have a clearer idea of any subsequent changes.
Cheng Zitong temporarily put his mind at ease. Sitting in the living room, he took a sip of tea from his thermos and asked Chen Chuan, "I've noticed you've been practicing your sword techniques diligently these past few days."
"Yes, Teacher," Chen Chuan replied, "I have a question I'd like to ask. I feel that this sword is quite peculiar, and it seems like it requires a special technique to unleash its true power."
Cheng Zitong looked at him with surprise, "Did you figure this out yourself?"
He chuckled, "My question was unnecessary. As a member of the Insight School, it's normal for you to sense that. However, even with your abilities, it's unlikely that you'd come up with the application method on your own. Don't worry, I'll find a suitable practice method for you."
After leaving Chen Chuan, Cheng Zitong drove to the school's residential area. A few minutes later, he arrived at a floral garden residence. The doorman greeted him politely, "Welcome, Manager Cheng, please come in."
Cheng Zitong entered and casually asked, "Where's Senior Brother Joe?"
"He's in the backyard teaching his new disciple," came the reply.
Cheng Zitong shook his head, "My student at least shows up for class and occasionally demonstrates his skills, but his disciple only made an appearance on the first day of school and hasn't been seen outside since. He's just a name on the roster."
As he spoke, he walked through the front hall and along a pebbled path, passing through an archway. Ahead, a large lotus pond came into view, with a few lotus flowers still standing tall despite the autumn season.
From here, they could see a spacious water pavilion across the pond, where an elderly man in a vintage mandarin collar robe was instructing a disciple. The disciple, a handsome young man of about sixteen or seventeen, wore the training gear of Wu Yi Academy.
Cheng Zitong walked along the corridor surrounding the pond, entered a flower hall, and proceeded further to reach the exterior of the water pavilion. "Senior Brother Joe, I've come to see you," he announced.
Senior Brother Joe, focused on teaching his disciple a stance, didn't respond. Cheng Zitong waited patiently to the side.
After a while, Senior Brother Joe instructed his disciple to continue practicing and headed towards the flower hall. He ordered his attendant to prepare tea and took a seat in the main seat, saying, "Sit down. You wouldn't come here unless you had a reason. What's the matter?"
Cheng Zitong didn't stand on ceremony either. He took a seat in the guest area and said, "My student is in need of appropriate sword techniques. I know you have a family sword manual, so I've come to seek your help."
Senior Brother Joe raised an eyebrow, "Is this your student? Why are you so concerned about him? The Academy has sword techniques, and my old manual is hardly something to fuss over."
"If it were just ordinary sword techniques, I could teach them myself," Cheng Zitong explained. "But recently, Teacher Chen gave my student a unique sword. I believe only your manual can unlock its true potential."
Senior Brother Joe lifted his thick, white eyebrows, "A forbidden weapon?"
Cheng Zitong waved his hand dismissively, "What era are we in? Who cares about forbidden weapons anymore?"
"Joe Linhu pondered for a moment before speaking, "I can give you the sword manual..." He gestured with two fingers, indicating to Cheng Zitong to wait a moment, and continued, "But I can't just hand it over like that." He pointed outside to the water pavilion and said, "I want you, as my student, to assist my disciple for three years."
Cheng Zitong was immediately displeased. "Senior Brother, this isn't the past anymore. Why are you still following those old-fashioned rules? Are you saying my student is inferior to your disciple?"
Joe Linhu shook his head. "Rules are meant to be followed. The regulations set by our old master must be upheld by me. Moreover, everything has its order of proximity and distance. Only by following my disciple can I pass on the teachings."
Cheng Zitong argued, "What you're saying about disciples and students is all nonsense from the past. It's time to let go of those old rules."
Joe Linhu replied calmly, "If you think so, go and discuss it with our master. If he agrees, I'll discard the rules without hesitation. Otherwise, we must adhere to them."
Cheng Zitong said, "I'm saying this is your family's sword manual, not the old master's. Why stick to such outdated rules? Is your disciple preparing to practice the essence stance? He'll need good medicine, and I can help him get it at a better price."
Joe Linhu responded, "I have some savings, and teaching a disciple is well within my means. The sword manual is indeed mine, but the rules are passed down from generation to generation. Our master followed them, I follow them, and my disciple will do the same. I can't break this tradition."
Cheng Zitong realized he wasn't getting through, "Forget it, consider this a wasted trip. But..." He turned and added, "Just remember, don't regret this later, Senior Brother."
Joe Linhu said, "Are you saying your student is better than my disciple? We'll see about that. But I stand by my words; even if he surpasses expectations, I won't break my rules."
Cheng Zitong grabbed his briefcase and said, "Fine, I'm leaving."
"Senior Brother, won't you stay for a meal?" Joe asked.
"I'm too frustrated to eat," Cheng Zitong replied.
As Cheng Zitong stepped outside, he took a deep breath, gazing at the towering buildings. Suddenly, he felt a sense of relief. Turning back, he said, "Old rules? My student was right. You're all stuck in the past. If I can't find it here, I'll find it elsewhere."
As evening approached, Cheng Zitong returned to Chen Chuan's dormitory. He took out a yellowed, old sword manual from his briefcase and said, "Take a look."
Chen Chuan picked it up and saw that it was a handwritten manual, likely from eight or nine decades ago.
Cheng Zitong explained, "This is an old-style sword manual. When I found it, it had been buried in a box for almost half a century. If I hadn't mentioned their ancestors having such a thing, they might have forgotten about it themselves."
Chen Chuan asked, "Teacher, is this valuable?"
Cheng Zitong replied, "Fifteen dollars each. A fair price, cash on delivery. It also saved me a favor. Only those old-fashioned folks cling to these things as if they were treasures."
He gestured with his chin, "The sword techniques aren't the most important part; it's the essence of using the sword. You can try practicing them, and if they don't suit me, I'll look for something else."
Chen Chuan asked, "Can you find more like this?"
Cheng Zitong said, "You underestimate me. In this day and age, sword manuals aren't a source of sustenance. If I wanted to collect them, I could easily gather seven or eight within half a day.
A few years ago, these techniques were unique, and people guarded them closely. But the less they taught, the fewer students they had. Many lineages have broken, and some descendants, struggling to make ends meet, would rather sell these manuals than hold onto them. Look, people are more practical now, unlike those who cling to outdated rules."
Chen Chuan sensed that Cheng Zitong was frustrated because he couldn't obtain a sword manual from someone, hence the complaints. However, since Cheng Zitong could find these manuals, why ask someone else? Perhaps the person he approached had a special status? Chen Chuan didn't dwell on it further. He flipped through the manual, and due to some missing pages, he had to go deeper into the manual to find a simple and unassuming sword essence technique: 'Heavy Strike Sword Essence?'"
(End of Chapter)
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